TransLink ‘Wins’ Lifetime Teddy Waste Award

TransLink is B.C.’s seventh Teddy waste ‘winner’ in 17-year history of the awards

VANCOUVER, B.C.: TransLink’s record of waste has earned it the lowest honour the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) can bestow: a lifetime achievement Teddy Waste Award.

TransLink’s award was announced by CTF Federal Director Aaron Wudrick and the CTF’s pig mascot, Porky the Waster Hater, during the 17th annual Teddy Waste Awards ceremony, celebrating the best of the worst in government waste. The awards event took place this morning on Parliament Hill at the Charles Lynch Press Conference Theatre.

“When it comes to wasting tax dollars, TransLink’s board and executives know no shame,” said Jordan Bateman, B.C. Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and spokesperson for the No TransLink Tax campaign. “The CEO dynamic duo debacle put them over the top for this waste award. Only TransLink could have found a way to shoehorn more tax money into its executive suite.”

For six weeks, the No TransLink Tax campaign has been posting “TransLink Waste of the Day” stories on its website and Facebook page. The campaign has more than 90 such stories to post during the campaign, and the list continues to grow.

1999 (Provincial) - The Government of B.C. for its $400,000 photo radar manual

2000 (Provincial) – The Government of B.C. for the Fast Ferries fiasco

2001 (Lifetime) – Premier Glen Clark

2006 (Municipal) – The City of Richmond for $460,000 in Olympic junkets

2009 (Municipal) – The City of Vancouver for the bankrupt Olympic Village

2014 (Municipal) – TransLink for its $4.5m empty Park and Ride

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NOTE: Jordan Bateman will be available for media comment from 10:30 to 11:30 am today (Wednesday, March 4) at the infamous Main Street Poodle on a Pole statue (Main St. at 18th Ave. in Vancouver). He will have the TransLink Teddy Waste Award with him for photo opportunities.

VANCOUVER, B.C.: Two days before the final ballots are due the No TransLink Tax campaign has released its final list of donors.

About Us

The NO TransLink Tax Campaign is a group of citizens, small business owners and concerned activists dedicated to making sure that TransLink doesn’t raise taxes on Lower Mainland residents. We aren’t members of fancy advocacy organizations, lobbyists, insiders or elitists – we are everyday people who live across our great region. We believe that TransLink should get its house in order instead of raising taxes.